Need a 40~55gr AR-15 upper - where, who, how much ...?

[Sid Post]

I need a rack grade AR-15 upper that will handle LIGHTWEIGHT .223 loads. I will be shooting a lot of 40gr ammunition and WILL NOT go over 55gr with this upper. Cheap and lightweight are the primary-desirements! Bullet disintegration in flight is not acceptable so, no 1x9's or faster!

Accuracy needs to be 'minute of dog' (not praire dog, think agreesive 'pet') at ~50yards so, I'm thinking something along the lines of a classic M-16A1 upper. A 16" upper would be fine, slightly preferred for handling but, a classic 20" would be a good choice too.

Classic A1 sights are fine but, a flot top upper is slighly preferred. Low purchase price is a primary driver after barrel twist assuming it is a reliable shooter.

What's out there as an attractive option?

TIA,
Sid

[Renegade04]

I need a rack grade AR-15 upper that will handle LIGHTWEIGHT .223 loads. I will be shooting a lot of 40gr ammunition and WILL NOT go over 55gr with this upper. Cheap and lightweight are the primary-desirements! Bullet disintegration in flight is not acceptable so, no 1x9's or faster!

Accuracy needs to be 'minute of dog' (not praire dog, think agreesive 'pet') at ~50yards so, I'm thinking something along the lines of a classic M-16A1 upper. A 16" upper would be fine, slightly preferred for handling but, a classic 20" would be a good choice too.

Classic A1 sights are fine but, a flot top upper is slighly preferred. Low purchase price is a primary driver after barrel twist assuming it is a reliable shooter.

What's out there as an attractive option?

TIA,
Sid

Sid,

Take a look at these. With the ammo you will be using, a 1/9 twist barrel will be the ticket.

16" lightweight
https://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Barrel...y_p/dt1035.htm

20" lightweight (currently Out of Stock)
https://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Barrel...y_p/dt1034.htm

[Sid Post]

Will a 1x9 really work with a 40gr load?

[Jsp10477]

Yes. As long as you aren’t shooting 22hornet bullets, you shouldn’t have any problems with any twist rate.

[mack7.62]

Brownell's is selling 1/12 barrels and I think uppers, I think 1/9 might be iffy for 40 grain.

[Sid Post]

Brownell's is selling 1/12 barrels and I think uppers, I think 1/9 might be iffy for 40 grain.

I spoke with an Air Force reserve service member who works with the marksmanship and training unit. He said I needed to stay with 1x12 to avoid bullet separation issues, especially with a suppressor. Too many 'varmint' bullets don't have the structural integrity to stay together in the faster twists in his experience. While I don't plan on shooting this suppressed, I still don't want to worry about midair disintegration as I need the 'payload' hit home with some authority (looking for higher velocity at close range).

[Renegade04]

I spoke with an Air Force reserve service member who works with the marksmanship and training unit. He said I needed to stay with 1x12 to avoid bullet separation issues, especially with a suppressor. Too many 'varmint' bullets don't have the structural integrity to stay together in the faster twists in his experience. While I don't plan on shooting this suppressed, I still don't want to worry about midair disintegration as I need the 'payload' hit home with some authority (looking for higher velocity at close range).

FYI, 1/9 will handle 40gr.-55 gr. ammo, but a 1/12 may stabilize it a bit better. You can always go old school and get one of these if you want a 1/12.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...rod123697.aspx

or one of these.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...rod123699.aspx

[Todd.K]

You can get 1/12 twist barrels easily because of retro builders. Green Mountain even has a 1/14 twist. But I wouldn't bother too much unless you just want to build this. I've shot a bunch of 36gr Barnes and 50gr HDY in multiple 1/7 twist barrels, none came apart. Accuracy was great with both and I have no concerns shooting them through my silencer. I suspect the number of people who talk about bullets coming apart from twist far exceeds the number who have actually seen it.

If you have an AR but are just worried about the twist, I'd find a 50-55gr varmint load that shoots well in it and then not worry about it.

If this is going to be your first/only AR, 1/12 twist really limits the the defensive loads you can use. I would consider 1/9 if it makes you feel better.

[AndyLate]

I think it's pretty hard to drive a bullet that fast in a .223/5.56. You may be able to run light bullets fast enough in a .224 Valkarie to come apart, but why run light bullets in one anyway?

Andy

[Sid Post]

...

If this is going to be your first/only AR, 1/12 twist really limits the the defensive loads you can use. I would consider 1/9 if it makes you feel better.

I shoot feral hogs with a 6.8SPC, and a 6.5Grendel and 300BO for fun. I also have an AR-10 so, defensive loads are not a concern. My AR-15 is 1/7.

I have played with 77gr loads in my AR-15 and for me, they don't offer anything special for where and how I shoot. I just don't see the benefits of 1/7 barrel for my AR-15 with the more common 55/62gr loads I use. If I was competing with heavy match loads or shooting tracers, then maybe my 1/7 barrel would make more sense for my shooting.